The Art Guys say their van will be doing about 60 mph around the 38-mile-circumference of the 610 Loop this weekend, which means that in 12 hours of continuous driving, they should make something shy of 19 times around the Inner Loop — minus pit stops for gassing up and, uh, watering down. Then they’ll turn around and unwind for an additional 12 hours in the opposite direction. What are these guys driving at? Feel free to call the artists themselves while they’re on the road, using the number emblazoned on the side of the van (832-712-6207) if you’ve got questions about the project; they plan to start their 24-hour freeway adventure at 5 p.m. this Saturday from the North Shepherd entrance ramp.
Who’s footing the bill for such loopiness?
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The Memorial City Mall, which is notably Outside the Loop, but is nevertheless supplying the van (before it gets passed on to country singer-songwriter Mike Stinson, for some reason), the Art-Guys-spec’ed custom paint job, and the gas money. And which featured the vehicle along with a poster describing this weekend’s adventure (number 11 in a year–long series of monthly urban stunts) in an in-mall display (pictured above) for a full week ending last night.
The masterminds behind the event won’t have to lift a steering wheel for their effort, either; a tag-team of 8 volunteering friends will trade off turns in the driver’s seat, so Art Guys Jack Massing and Michael Galbreth can respond to all those incoming phone calls and interview requests. If your kind of art appreciation lends itself less to that kind of interaction and more to . . . er, tracking, you’ll be able to follow the Loop van-a-thon on a computer or phone from their Glympse feed; the Art Guys plan to post a link to the real-time navigation data on their Facebook page, Twitter feed, and website Saturday.
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Photo: The Art Guys
WTF.
Great, go ahead and drive in the opposite direction. I paid attention the first “Superman” movie, so don’t come whining to me when you time-travel back to 1917.
Just take that last “e” out of “Bellaire” while you’re there.
More like WTFC [who the f*** cares] ?
When a hurricane comes to town the Longhorns take 290 to get out of town, the Sooners take 45, and the Aggies take 610.
I sometimes wish the Art Guys were on Banksy’s level of speaking truth to power, but then I saw a bathroom decor by the Art Guys and realized that toothbrushes of varying sizes is a more apt fit for Houston.
Why start at 5 pm and go 12 hours through the night? That will decrease visibility of the van.
I’d guess the 5 o’clock start is in deference to Saturday congestion on the West Loop. I’m pretty sure the idea is to maximize their time in motion.
Are they making pick ups and deliveries along the way?
(832-712-6207)
Annnnnnd signed up for Cat Facts.
Life imitates art, this art imitates stupid.
Why would anyone put themselves at the added risk of being involved in a high speed accident on a Houston freeway for no other purpose then to drive around the same loop repeatedly?
What a waste of time/energy/$/gas/etc etc. Sick of hearing about these clowns.
These two has-beens are running out of ideas.
So it seems this is just some stupid publicity stunt for Memorial City Mall under the guise of “performance art”. And, of course, a way for the Art Guys to be corporate and attention whores. The interesting thing will be the number of people who DON’T call.
This is obviously an act in support of the newly-crowned Astrodome parking garage proposal. They’re first driving up the ramp to the top of the garage, symbolically speaking, and then back down. This still leaves unsolved the critical question of how to tailgate in the structure. That will obviously need to be left for a future action.
Or they’ve been inspired by this fellow: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Goodrick who is a friend of Bill Drummons and James Cauty, AKA The KLF. Who were fairly arty themselves in their statements.
Good grief, you people are a load of fun.
Look kids, Big Ben! Parliament!